Bridle-blind



(No Model.)

J. S. DEAN.

BRIDLE BLIND.

Patented June 22, 1897.

. UNITED STATES:

JAMES s. DEAN, on TOLEDO, IOWA.

BRIDL'YE-BLINDI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 584,927, dated June 22, 1897.

' Application filed $eptember7, 1895. Serial No. 561,839. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES S. DEAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Tama and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inbridles; and it has reference more particularly to the connection between the fly-strap and theblind, having for its object, among others, to provide a simple and cheap connection between these parts for the purpose of preventing breakage of the said connection.

It is a well-known fact that a sweating, itching horse will rub his head against a tree, a tree-box, or anything within his reach, and the prominence of the connection between the fly-strap and the blind makes it especially liable to such violence, and the breakage of the fly-strap is the consequence. I obviate this difficulty by my present invention, which consists, broadly, in a separable connection between the fly-strap and blind, so that when the animal rubs very hard the connection will separate, which, however, will not free the horse, although the blind is left all aflap on the horses cheek; but as this usually occurs when the horse is standing still it can be easily connected before he is untied to start. WVhat a saving of expense and time necessary in order to get the bridle mended, as before, and in the purchase of new fly-straps and, perhaps, blinds, is gained by my invention will be readily appreciated by, those familiar with the use of such devices.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bridle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective View of the parts employed in my improvement. Fig. 3 is a section through the blind through the center of the separable connection.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Much of the bridle is of well-known construotion.

As my invention resides solely in the connection between the blind and the fly-strap only such parts need description.

Referring then to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the blind, and B the fly-strap. To each side of the blind I secure a piece D of suitable material, as thin metal, which may be riveted thereto or held thereupon in any other suitable manner. These plates extend outward at the upper outer corner of the common square blind or where fly-strap connects with any blind, and their outer ends are cupped on their inner surface or face, as seen at d, to form a socket for a ball or knob E on the end of the plate F, which is connected with or secured to the fly-strap in any suitable manner. The plates D are to admit the said ball or knob between them, being made of spring material, so as to yield to allow of the passage of theball or knob in or out, as the case may be. The ball orknob should be slightly flattened, as shown, so that it will not roll over in the socket and the socket should be correspondingly shaped. WVhen the plates D are in position, their lips should form a slot wide enough to fit the neck of the plate F and long enough to allow the latter plate to vibrate from the perpendicular to the horizontal.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spiritof the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

I claim- 1. In a bridle, a separable connection between the blind and its supporting fiy-strap adapted to yield under excessive strain, and come apart, substantially as described.

2. In a bridle, a separable connection between the blind and its supporting fly-strap, consisting of a ball and' spring-socket fastening adapted to yield under excessive strain, and come apart, substantially as described.

3. In a bridle, the combination of the blind provided with spring-clips secured upon opposite sides of the corner thereof, said clips In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscrib- I0 ingwitnesses.

JAMES S. DEAN.

\Vitnesses:

L. H. DEAN, B. T. DEAN. 

